Would you risk a higher deductible to lower your insurance bill?

Yeah, insurance feels like buying a lottery ticket you hope never pays out. I get what you mean about the “what ifs” - most of the time nothing happens, and you’re just watching money disappear every month. But then again, all it takes is one idiot running a red light or some freak accident and suddenly that high deductible hurts way more than the extra monthly cost ever did.

I drive a beater and park far away from other cars (paranoia or wisdom, who knows), so I’ve always leaned toward higher deductibles to keep my bill down. Haven’t regretted it yet, but there’s always that nagging feeling in the back of my mind... Like, am I tempting fate? Maybe, but I’d rather risk it than pay double for “just in case.” Guess it depends on how much bad luck you think you’ve got stored up.

I get the logic behind going with a higher deductible, especially if you’re driving an old car and trying to save cash every month. But honestly, as someone who’s had more than my fair share of “bad luck” (read: tickets, fender benders, and one deer that came outta nowhere), I just can’t risk it anymore. The math only works out if you never have to file a claim. Once you do - even for something minor - you’re suddenly out a grand or more before insurance kicks in. That stings way more than paying an extra $20 or $30 a month.

And let’s be real, parking far away helps, but it doesn’t protect you from everything. Last year my car got sideswiped in a nearly empty lot. No note, no cameras, nothing. If I’d had a high deductible, I’d have eaten the whole repair cost myself.

I guess it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to shoulder. For me, after enough close calls, I’d rather pay a bit more for peace of mind. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but I’ve learned the hard way that saving now can cost way more later.

That’s totally fair. I tried the high deductible route a few years back with my ’92 Miata - figured it was cheap enough to fix if anything happened. Then a hailstorm rolled through and, well, let’s just say I learned how fast “savings” disappear. Sometimes you just want to know you’re covered, especially when luck seems to run out more often than not. Your approach makes a lot of sense after what you’ve dealt with.

Yeah, that’s the thing - sometimes the “savings” from a higher deductible just vanish when you least expect it. I tried to crunch the numbers for our minivan and figured we’d be fine... until my kid’s bike handlebar put a dent in the door. Suddenly, that deductible felt a lot bigger than it looked on paper. I get wanting to save, but after a couple of those surprises, I’m leaning toward peace of mind over a few bucks saved each month.

Totally get where you’re coming from. I went with a higher deductible on our Outback thinking we’d never need it - then a stray rock on a road trip cracked the windshield. The “savings” disappeared in one shot. Here’s how I look at it now:

- If you drive a lot (road trips, kids, life...), odds of little mishaps go up.
- Peace of mind is worth more than I thought, especially when you’re far from home.
- I’d rather pay a bit more monthly than stress every time something bumps the car.

It’s tempting to save, but those surprises hit harder than expected.